Breathtaking skyline views New York City are a sight to behold. Whether you’re on an airplane or on one of the city’s amazing rooftop bars, these NYC skyline views will blow you away!
Liberty State Park is often overlooked when searching for the best views in NYC because it’s not located within the heart of Manhattan. However, this park offers a stunning view of the skyline along with a heartfelt 9/11 memorial called Empty Sky.
1. Liberty State Park
If you’re looking for a view of New York City without being in the heart of the city itself, then Liberty State Park is the place for you. Located in Jersey City, this waterfront park is a great spot to see the city and the Statue of Liberty without being bombarded by crowds. Plus, the views are stunning! The park is also home to one of the most moving memorials in NYC, the Empty Sky Memorial. This is a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attacks and is a very powerful sight to see.
The park also has a 2-mile promenade, called Liberty Walk, that offers fantastic views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline. Whether you’re strolling with a friend or enjoying a family picnic, the view from Liberty State Park is beautiful. You can even take a ferry out to Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty from this park!
Located in Queens, Hunter’s Point South Park is another great spot to get some epic NYC skyline views. This viewpoint is unique in that it provides views of all five boroughs from north to south and even gives you a great look at the Statue of Liberty. Plus, it’s a really cool park with lots of things to do and eat!
While it might not be as high up as other observation decks in the city, One World Trade Center offers some of the most incredible skyline views of New York City. You’ll be able to see all of the famous skyscrapers from this observation deck and it is definitely worth the trip! You can even watch a movie at the Top of the Rock if you’re interested.
Although you might have to pay for a ticket, it’s well worth it for this amazing experience! The views from this observation deck are spectacular and will certainly leave you breathless. You can see all of the iconic skyscrapers in New York City from this observation deck, including the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. It’s an unforgettable experience and a must-see for all visitors to New York City!
2. Brooklyn Bridge Park
A definite must visit when in Brooklyn, this stunning waterfront park boasts some of the most impressive (and cheapest) NYC skyline views. The 1.3-mile park is filled with smaller parks and piers, making it the perfect place to enjoy breathtaking vistas of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. Stroll along the water or grab a seat at one of the restaurants in the park for some amazing NYC sunset views.
Brooklyn Bridge Park is one of the most stunning and innovative examples of public space design in the United States. The 1.3-mile park replaces a barren industrial waterfront with a new urban landscape characterized by lush planting and nuanced topography. Designed by landscape architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the Brooklyn Bridge Park is a vital tool in transforming the city’s historic urban waterfront into an active destination for local residents and visitors.
While many people choose to visit Brooklyn Bridge Park for its incredible skyline views, the park also offers a number of other attractions and activities that make it worth visiting. The quaint historic Fulton Ferry Landing is a great place for locals to relax, and the park’s new playground is perfect for families. There is even a beautiful restored carousel that looks magical at night with the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline in the background.
Another attraction to check out is the Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, a new public space that offers a range of activities and stunning views. The plaza features a water fountain, food vendors, and an interactive playground for kids. The Brooklyn Bridge Park also has connections to regional bikeways and a kayak launch.
The newest and most exciting addition to the Brooklyn Bridge Park is the Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, a large open plaza that features an iconic sculpture by artist Janet Cardiff and a spectacular view of the city’s most famous bridge. The plaza is open to the public and is free to enter. For some of the best and most dramatic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, visit the plaza at sunset or during a special event.
3. Pier One
If you’re looking for skyline views in New York City that are both thrilling and unique, head to Pier One. This new waterfront park is one of the city’s newest and most exciting attractions, with its beautiful green spaces and epic NYC skyline views.
The large pier is home to lawns, a playground, and a waterfront promenade that all offer different opportunities to enjoy the views of New York City’s skyline. You can even stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge to get some more stunning views of Lower Manhattan. The park is a fun place to visit any time of day, but it’s especially impressive at night when the skyline lights up.
You can also check out the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conversancy’s events that are hosted throughout the year at Pier One. Another option is to take the Staten Island Ferry and watch as the city lights up around you as you sail across the water. This is a great opportunity to see the Statue of Liberty up close as well.
If you’d rather not pay for admission to a viewing deck and just want a skyline view, you can always walk along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which is free. There are benches and seating scattered throughout the area, so you can sit and admire the city’s beautiful skyline. The Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge all look beautiful at night from this vantage point.
For a slightly more splurge-worthy experience, you can head to the One World Observatory. This observation deck is one of the highest in the world and offers some of the most incredible skyline views of New York City. The attraction uses state-of-the-art technology to enhance your experience, including hundreds of LED video screens that explain the history of the city and its famous landmarks. You can also climb 102 flights of stairs in just over 45 seconds with the help of the SkyPod elevators, which are a fast and fun way to reach the viewing deck.
Central Park is also a great spot to see skyline views of New York City. This much-loved park is surrounded by many of the city’s most iconic buildings, including the Neo-Renaissance Beresford and the Plaza Hotel. You can also find some stunning vistas in the park’s more remote areas like Gapstow Bridge, Umpire Rock, and Sheep Meadow. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is also located within the park and its rooftop bar offers amazing sunset views.
4. Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock is one of the most iconic observation decks in NYC. The views are breathtaking and the experience is something you will never forget.
The Top of the Rock is open 365 days a year so it is always a great option for visitors looking for amazing skyline views. The best time to visit the Top of the Rock is during the summer or spring when there are longer, brighter days and the chances of seeing a beautiful sunset are much higher.
During these times of the year you will also find the crowds at the observation deck are much smaller. This makes your experience much more enjoyable as you can walk around the decks at a leisurely pace without feeling like you are being pushed and shoved by the crowds.
When visiting the Top of the Rock I would suggest you try and arrive at least an hour before sunset. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy the stunning skyline in daylight and then stay for the magical post-sunset view when all of the buildings come on and light up. (Quick photography lesson – the hour before sunset is also known as “the golden hour” and this gives the most flattering lighting for selfies!)
There are three separate indoor/outdoor observation decks on the 67th, 69th and 70th floors of the Rockefeller Center. Each of these offers fantastic views of the city with large glass panels surrounding the observation decks. The 69th floor has an added attraction – the Sky Portal. This is a glass platform which allows you to look straight down at the streets below you! This is a must-see for those who aren’t scared of heights and want to get the most amazing photos possible.
If you are lucky enough to visit on a clear day and it isn’t too windy then the views of the city will be spectacular from the Top of the Rock. You will be able to see all of the major landmark buildings of the city including the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, The Edge, Summit One Vanderbilt and Central Park.